The Dutch cede Indonesia to the nationalist movement in 1949.

In 1949, communist leaders take mainland China; Mao Zhe Dong’s forces proclaim the Peoples Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949.

Jiang Jeishei (Chaing Kai-shek) flees to Formosa; his Guomintang Nationalists set up a Republic of China in Taiwan.

The Social Affairs Dept.

and other Chinese secret police are created.

The French, based primarily in Saigon and Hue, ignore Vietnam’s independent status under President Ho and make former emperor Bao Dai Vietnam’s chief of state.

The US steps up financial aid to France, earmarked for the colonial war in Indochina.

Following the July, 1949 agreement by the French and Laotian governments to Laotian “independence within the French Union, most of the Laotian government-in-exile returns to Laos, with many of its members joining the new government at Vientiane.

Prince Souphamouvong remains in Bangkok and forms the Pathet Lao (Lao Country) political party and revolutionary organization.